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    Home » Book Review

    Sonoran Tacos + A Review of Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick & a GIVEAWAY!

    September 15, 2014 by keepinitkind 74 Comments

    Sonoran Tacos from Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick | Review & GIVEAWAY!

    I've always liked tacos but when I became vegan, my affection for these simple-yet-gratifying handheld bundles of deliciousness really reached a whole new level. Before going vegan, I'd never really looked beyond meat and/or beans and/or cheese as fillings for tacos but now there is a whole realm of delectable possibilities to pile on a tortilla, fold in half, and shove in my mouth. With such a huge opportunity for creativity, vegan tacos have become a regular dinner rotation in our house.

    Sonoran Tacos from Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick | Review & GIVEAWAY!

    When I heard about Jason Wyrick's newest book, Vegan Tacos, I knew I needed to have it. After reviewing it and trying one of the recipes (and dog-earing a bunch more to try), I have to admit: My mind is blown. I knew there was a wide range of possibilites when it comes to building a plant-based taco, but there are infinite combinations in this book. He provides recipes for several homemade tortillas and a wide range of salsas, guacamoles, and even vegan cheese. This is on top of the huge amount of taco recipes, some with multiple choices for fillings. He even gives "Make It Simple" directions for some of his more "involved" recipes, making it so you can skip the fancy stuff without sacrificing taste and have dinner on the table sooner. He also gives "Make It Low-Fat" tips for those trying to watch what they eat.

    Sonoran Tacos from Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick | Review & GIVEAWAY!

    There are pictures all throughout the book, which I love. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't give props to my friends, Erin and Jeff, for shooting the gorgeous cover!

    Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick

    The recipe I tried was the Sonoran Tacos. It sounded tasty and I liked that the recipe gave me a choice of filling options- beans, portobello mushrooms, or seitan. I just so happened to have portobellos on hand as well as the required Anaheim peppers so it was meant to be. Plus, this recipe had the "Make It Simple" option and since I was exhausted that day, the word "Simple" was music to my ears. I used corn tortillas instead of flour and I didn't make the suggested salsa or queso (remember when I said I was exhausted?) but I did top it with avocado and Chris and I both thought the tacos were really great. They're not the prettiest to look at, but our tastebuds didn't care. And it was so easy, I could see myself making this recipe again and again.

    Sonoran Tacos from Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick | Review & GIVEAWAY!

    Print
    Sonoran Tacos + A Review of Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick & a GIVEAWAY!

    From Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick. ©2014 Jason Wyrick. Used by permission from Vegan Heritage Press.

    Ingredients

      The Filling (choose either the beans, portobello, or seitan)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch strips
    • 2 cups cooked pinto beans, rinsed, or 2 large portobello mushrooms, chopped into bite-size pieces, or 2 cups cubed seitan
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    • 4 Anaheim chiles or any long green chile, pan-roasted and cut into strips (pan-roast the chiles while you caramelize the onion)
    • The Tortillas
    • 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
    • The Toppings
    • Hot sauce of your choice
    • Chopped avocado

    Instructions

    1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until well caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the onions from the skillet and return the skillet to the heat. Add the filling of your choice (either the beans, mushrooms, or seitan).
    2. Pintos: Lower the heat to medium. Add the beans and garlic to the pan and sauté for about 2 minutes. Season them with the salt and pepper, and then remove them from the heat.
      Portobellos: Keep the heat at medium-high. Add the portobellos to the pan and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic about 1 minute before you are done cooking the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
      Seitan: Keep the heat at medium-high. Add 1 more teaspoon of oil to the pan. Add the seitan and sauté it for about 5 minutes, until it is well browned. Add the garlic and sauté this for 1 more minute. Season the seitan with salt and pepper and remove it from the heat.
    3. Warm your tortillas. Add the filling, followed by the sliced roasted chiles, then the salsa, and a scattering of avocado.
    4. Make It Simple:
    5. Instead of pan-roasting the chiles, just remove the stems and seeds and cut them into strips. Add the chiles, onion, the garlic, the filling, salt, pepper, and oil to the pan all at the same time. Turn the pan to a medium heat and cook this until the onion is lightly browned. It will take you about 10 to 15 minutes to get everything done, but you don’t have a bunch of different steps to take and you only need to stir the food every couple of minutes.
    6. Make It Low-Fat:
    7. You can cook the onions without adding any oil to the pan. Just sauté them over a medium high heat in a dry pan, stirring them every minute or so. Once they are browned, add 1/4 cup of water to the pan, give everything a quick stir, and then add your filling of choice, along with the garlic, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the filling is done, about 2 minutes for the beans, 3 minutes for the mushrooms, and 3 minutes for the seitan.
    8. How to Pan Roast:
    9. Turn a dry iron skillet or heavy pan to medium heat. Lay the chiles on the pan. When they blister on the bottom, flip them over and repeat until all sides are blistered. Peel the blistered skin away from the chiles and discard the stem and seeds.
    3.1

    Sonoran Tacos from Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick | Review & GIVEAWAY!

    Vegan Heritage Press has been kind enough to let me give away a copy of Vegan Tacos to one of my lovely readers! It is open to US and Canadian residents only and will run until 11:59pm on September 20th, 2014. Please use the box below to enter.

    Thank you so much to Vegan Heritage Press and Jason Wyrick for letting me review this fantastic book. Thank you to all you marvelous readers who chose to stop by today. Have a beautiful day!

    What are your favorite vegan taco fillings?

    Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book to review but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

    Photography  by Chris Miller

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    • Zucchini Pasta with Quinoa Meatless Balls & A Review of Gena Hamshaw's Choosing Raw
    • Pesto Cauliflower & Potato Salad + Salad Samurai Review & GIVEAWAY!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      September 15, 2014 at 11:47 am

      Lentils and mushrooms for sure!

      Reply
    2. Aimee B.

      September 15, 2014 at 11:51 am

      My favorite taco fillings are avocado and pico de gallo.

      Reply
    3. Katie

      September 15, 2014 at 11:56 am

      I prefer taco bowls - laziness to the extreme, as when the mood for a taco hits I never have any corn tortillas ...
      Ironically enough, I *hated* tacos until I went vegan - now I love them! If it has a nice kick, something chewy, something crunchy, and something cool, I'm guaranteed to love it. This recipe looks like it'll satisfy all criterion!

      Reply
    4. Kristina

      September 15, 2014 at 11:59 am

      I like slightly mashed lentils mixed with chopped toasted walnuts for some texture.

      Reply
    5. RBoesch

      September 15, 2014 at 12:09 pm

      My favorite taco filling is a little more traditional.
      I like filling my tacos with fresh corn that has been roasted, black beans, chopped tomatoes, avocado, and leafy greens.

      Reply
    6. Sophia

      September 15, 2014 at 12:14 pm

      I guess I'm pretty unoriginal when it comes to tacos - my favorite filling is definitely heavily-spiced beans! Probably followed by mushrooms.

      Reply
    7. Alison L

      September 15, 2014 at 12:14 pm

      Mushrooms, black beans and other veggies topped with vegan cheeze...yummy! If I am feeling really naughty (read: using something processed) I use the veggie crumbles and taco seasoning also topped with the vegan cheeze - it would be nice to have other options/inspirations!

      Reply
    8. Marie

      September 15, 2014 at 12:15 pm

      I must say that your recipe of chickpeas and palm hearts revolutionized my tacos!

      Reply
    9. Ann Taylor

      September 15, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      rainbow - sweet potato, black bean, kale.....delish!!

      Reply
    10. Beth Ann

      September 15, 2014 at 12:35 pm

      chili lime seared tofu, guacamole, salsa and lettuce are delish!

      Reply
    11. Liz @ Floating Kitchen

      September 15, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      These look delicious! I love love love tacos! So many possibilities. Looking forward to checking out this book!

      Reply
    12. Karen D

      September 15, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      I like lentils in tacos, with lettuce & salsa and guacamole

      Reply
    13. Jacky

      September 15, 2014 at 1:25 pm

      Seitan, corn, lime, and avocado!

      Reply
    14. Maryz

      September 15, 2014 at 1:29 pm

      Portabella mushrooms, peppers and onions, salsa and guacamole.

      Reply
    15. Judith

      September 15, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      spicy tofu

      Reply
    16. courtney

      September 15, 2014 at 2:25 pm

      I love beans!

      Reply
    17. Shelley

      September 15, 2014 at 2:33 pm

      My favorite vegan taco filling has to be taco-spiced lentils or beans with lots of roasted vegetables!

      Reply
    18. Erica C

      September 15, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      roasted chickpeas!

      Reply
    19. Beth R.

      September 15, 2014 at 2:58 pm

      I love chickpeas and marinated portobello mushrooms in tacos!

      Reply
    20. Abbe

      September 15, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      I love mushrooms in tacos, and avocados, and onions, and tomatoes....and then I add cilantro for the flavor pop!

      Reply
    21. diana @ veggienextdoor

      September 15, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      Black beans and avocados!

      Reply
    22. Becca

      September 15, 2014 at 4:13 pm

      Lentil walnut taco meat!

      Reply
    23. A Goin

      September 15, 2014 at 4:43 pm

      New to vegan tacos myself but loving the sound of all these ideas!

      Reply
    24. ali

      September 15, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      beans.... with avocado and cashew crema!

      Reply
    25. Marie

      September 15, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      I've never tried to make vegan tacos, but these look amazing.

      Reply
    26. Kris @ Plants & Pages

      September 15, 2014 at 6:37 pm

      Sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and tempeh!

      Reply
    27. jacquie

      September 15, 2014 at 7:05 pm

      black beans and mushrooms

      Reply
    28. saniel

      September 15, 2014 at 7:18 pm

      Walnut nut meat, avocado, tomato and cashew cream

      Reply
    29. Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming

      September 15, 2014 at 7:48 pm

      lentils!!

      Reply
    30. Lydia Claire

      September 15, 2014 at 10:52 pm

      Beyond Meat and Daiya cheese with veggies, salsa, etc.

      Reply
    31. Laura

      September 15, 2014 at 11:14 pm

      Lentils and mushrooms!!

      Reply
    32. Ali @ Farmers Market Vegan

      September 16, 2014 at 3:12 am

      Roasted veggies and "pulled pork" seitan!

      Reply
    33. Greg Allbee

      September 16, 2014 at 3:25 am

      Nothing too fancy I guess, usually just beans or lentils, some greens, salsa, mashed avocado. I have tried the Beyond Meat southwest-style chicken and it's really good. I've also used homemade seitan.

      Reply
    34. Laura

      September 16, 2014 at 5:41 am

      Homemade guacamole, seitan strips, roasted veggies, homemade refried beans, homemade queso & salsa.
      Oh my...think I'm going to have tacos tonight!

      Reply
    35. Sophie

      September 16, 2014 at 5:49 am

      lentils, black beans and cilantro

      Reply
    36. Jessica Eagle

      September 16, 2014 at 6:35 am

      Thanks for this giveaway !!!

      My favorite taco filling is lentil, some greens with a good salsa and avocado. Yummm !!!

      Reply
    37. Paige c

      September 16, 2014 at 6:48 am

      Jerk veggies and avocado!

      Reply
    38. stacey

      September 16, 2014 at 6:50 am

      Blackened Tempeh, Sautéed Cabbage and Salsa!

      Reply
    39. Sherry Grant

      September 16, 2014 at 6:57 am

      Quinoa and sautéed veggies

      Reply
    40. Nataliya M.

      September 16, 2014 at 7:37 am

      My favorite taco combo is sweet potato, quinoa, chickpeas, greens, avocado and vegan aoili!

      Reply
    41. Purnima

      September 16, 2014 at 7:55 am

      Black Beans.

      Reply
    42. natalie

      September 16, 2014 at 8:02 am

      I love the bean and cheese taco filling from keepin it kind and seasoned portobella "meat" is a close runner up.

      Reply
    43. Sue

      September 16, 2014 at 8:25 am

      Smoked Soy Curls, Roasted Garlic Spread with a crisp fresh Slaw on a crunchy hard shell.

      Reply
    44. Carolyn

      September 16, 2014 at 9:05 am

      I like lots of lettuce and fresh tomatoes on my tacos.

      Reply
    45. Jean

      September 16, 2014 at 9:13 am

      I love butternut squash, black beans and vegan cheez on my tacos

      Reply
    46. Megan

      September 16, 2014 at 9:44 am

      vegan queso, beans and sweet potatoes

      Reply
    47. jamee

      September 16, 2014 at 10:30 am

      still learning...love guacamole tho! i have hundreds of pounds to lose, and this book just might be of great help!

      Reply
    48. Alice

      September 16, 2014 at 11:06 am

      mushrooms, potatoes with gravy

      Reply
    49. charj

      September 16, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      beans, seitan, soy curls, lettuce, avocado

      Reply
    50. Jennifer K

      September 16, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      I like seitan as a taco filling

      Reply
    51. Tanya P

      September 16, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      We love beans, switch them in tacos all the time 🙂

      Reply
    52. Nicollette D.

      September 16, 2014 at 5:56 pm

      This is pretty boring, but I love black bean & sweet potato. I'm not sure it gets better.

      Reply
    53. Janel M.

      September 16, 2014 at 7:11 pm

      I like it plain and simple--TVP, vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato

      Reply
    54. Thalia @ butter and brioche

      September 16, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      Wow a whole cookbook dedicated to vegan tacos? Love it! Definitely going to be trying this delicious recipe.. thanks for sharing it!

      Reply
    55. Michelle

      September 17, 2014 at 12:42 pm

      raw tacos lately with walnuts and cashew cream

      Reply
    56. Bridget

      September 17, 2014 at 1:03 pm

      I love black beans, potatoes, guacamole, lots of salsa, and lettuce

      Reply
    57. Jessica

      September 17, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Lentils and/or tempeh with sautéed veggies and other beans. YuM!

      Reply
    58. Terri Cole

      September 17, 2014 at 3:04 pm

      My favorite taco filling combo is: roasted sweet potatoes and poblanos, plus smoky black beans, topped with watermelon-mango salsa. YUM!

      Reply
    59. olivia

      September 17, 2014 at 3:27 pm

      My favorite taco fillings are sauteed sweet potato, mushrooms and avocados. I would love to win this Vegan Taco book, thank you 🙂

      Reply
    60. Samantha Plotkin

      September 17, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      Black and pinto beans with bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms!

      Reply
    61. Terri Stralow

      September 17, 2014 at 4:33 pm

      I make a super good filling with baby bell mushrooms, chopped red onion, and yellow sweet pepper and a bit of jalapeno. sauté them up real good in a bit of olive oil. then add a bit of rice syrup, either a big tablespoon of tomato sauce or I use tomato powder with 1 T of water, plus ume plum vinegar, and a tad bit of salt. cook until it makes a sauce and kind of cooks down. takes maybe 15 minutes to make this.

      Reply
    62. Babette

      September 17, 2014 at 5:03 pm

      My favorite taco filling is vegan sour cream with tofu, onions, peppers and lots of lettuce.

      Reply
    63. Irene

      September 17, 2014 at 6:54 pm

      Favorite taco filling is definitely beans, pickled onion, and avocado. Yum!

      Reply
    64. Corrine

      September 17, 2014 at 7:19 pm

      Beans, veg cheese, salsa, lettuce, avocado and more!

      Reply
    65. Amanda J.

      September 17, 2014 at 9:23 pm

      Chickpeas roasted with taco seasoning!

      Reply
    66. Courtney

      September 18, 2014 at 6:10 am

      CILANTRO AVOCADO CHICKPEA SALAD TACOS--yum!

      Reply
    67. Laura

      September 18, 2014 at 9:41 am

      Tofu or Beyond Meat Chicken-Free Strips sauted with onions, green bells, and salsa verde, topped with avocado slices and cilantro. Yum!

      Reply
    68. Julia

      September 18, 2014 at 12:23 pm

      Avocado, tomato, white onion, tofutti sour cream, yum!

      Reply
    69. Michelle

      September 18, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      Um...probably just about anything- anything VEGAN : ) - that you would think to stuff inside a taco shell or tortilla: refried beans, whole beans, mushrooms, "fake" meat, tofu, other random veggies, rice... I'm not picky!

      Reply
    70. Ali

      September 18, 2014 at 6:01 pm

      I love potato tacos with fresh salsa on top.

      Reply
    71. Annette

      September 19, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Avocados and onions are my favorite vegan taco fillings.

      Reply
    72. Sarah

      September 19, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      Beans and bell peppers!

      Reply
    73. Naama Levy

      September 20, 2014 at 5:30 am

      My favorite is nopales, onion, potato and green peppers on corn tortillas.

      Reply
    74. Kait

      September 22, 2014 at 5:26 pm

      Geek p/fangirl alert: when I looked quickly I thought this said "Sontaran tacos" and got so ridiculously excited because I thought someone made Doctor Who-inspired tacos and it was like the two greatest things ever.

      Alas- I still plan on stuffing my face with these ASAP. And while watching DW. 😉

      Reply

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